Nolan Bolton for the exit. Gareth to Bale us out.
Posted on August 27th, 2009 | 3 Comments |
I wasn’t particularly impressed with Nolan’s contributions to the team last season but this season he looks much better, although I admit that’s probably to be expected now that we’re down a league. Nolan has even scored a couple this season, including the winning goal in last night’s 4-3 romp against Huddersfield (for which we have match reports here and here).
It’s not all bad news though because the BBC claimed last night that Gareth Bale could be on his way to Newcastle from Spurs. When we sold them Bassong it was rumoured that one or two loan signings from Spurs were on the cards and this could be one of them.
The Welsh under-21 international made his professional debut for Southampton in 2005-06 and scored 5 goals in 45 games before transferring to Spurs in May 2007. Bale usually plays as either a left back or left winger, so he could be seen as a replacement for either Enrique or Jonas if either should be sold this season.
Our good start to the season could be deceptive because with such a small squad we’ll really start to suffer towards the business end of the season when injuries start to take their toll. In fact Chris Hughton said as much yesterday when he told The Journal:
“What has papered over (the cracks) is we’ve been very fortunate with injuries and haven’t really had more than two at any given time, which is very unusual.
“Consequently we’ve been able to cope but there will be a time when that changes. We’re quite strong in midfield but we need possibly two or three new faces provided no-one else leaves.”
If Ashley plans to stay at the club I’d be very surprised if he continues with the ruthless cost-cutting. I understand that the wage bill must be cut – indeed, £30m has already been cut – but Ashley’s a gambling man and I would have thought he might be prepared to take a bit of a financial hit this season in the hope of promotion, which – if we were successful – would mean he could probably double his asking price for the club.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.
It would be typical if Nolan went, just as he appears to have found a bit of fitness and form.
I’m a fan of Bale so I’d be pleased if he came in on loan but it’s a shame he’s injured at the minute. That would be pretty frustrating and potentially a waste of time if he doesn’t recover effectively.